SPECIAL DIETS
ISSUE DATE: 10/2025
MFIP, DWP, SNAP, GA, GRH:
No provisions.
MSA:
A special need allowance for a special diet may be paid to MSA clients who are not residents of a nursing home, regional treatment center, or group residential housing facility.
Add an amount for special diet requirements to the monthly assistance standard. See below for the amount to add for a specific diet.
A licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant must prescribe the special diet(s). Verify the need at each recertification or more often if warranted. Do not require a unit to verify actual food expenditures. Another funding source must not be available to pay the diet costs.
The eligible diets and amounts are:
● | Anti-dumping diet | $44.70 |
● | Controlled protein diet (40-60 grams and requires special products) | $298.00 |
● | Controlled protein diet (less than 40 grams and requires special products) | $372.50 |
● | Gluten free diet | $74.50 |
● | High protein diet (minimum 80 grams/day) | $74.50 |
● | High residue diet | $59.60 |
● | Hypoglycemic diet | $44.70 |
● | Ketogenic diet | $74.50 |
● | Lactose free diet | $74.50 |
● | Low cholesterol diet | $74.50 |
● | Pregnancy and lactation diet | $104.30 |
When a client requests a payment for more than 1 diet, use the following guidelines to determine payment:
● | If the recommended diets overlap one another with respect to their dietary components, allow the amount indicated for the more costly of the diets. |
● | If there is no overlap in the recommended dietary components of the prescribed diets, allow the total for all the prescribed diets. |
● | If a doctor prescribed diets which are mutually exclusive, do NOT allow either until adequate clarification has been received from the doctor who prescribed both diets. |
PREVIOUS REVISIONS
| Date | Notes |
|---|---|
| 10/2024 | updates the MSA Special Diets amounts. |
| 10/2023 | special diet allowances updated to reflect changes to the SNAP Thrifty Food Plan maximum allotment for one person |
| 10/2022 | special diet allowances updated to reflect changes to the SNAP Thrifty Food Plan maximum allotment for one person |
| 10/2021 | in MSA updates Special Diet Amounts to reflect COLA changes. |
| 07/2021 | in general provisions deletes cross-reference to TEMP Manual TE02.08.035 (How to Issue Special Needs Payments) as issuance of Special Diets is automated in MAXIS. |
| 10/2020 | in MSA updates Special Diet Amounts. |
| 10/2019 | in MSA updates Special Diet Amounts. |
| 10/2017 | in MSA updates Special Diet Amounts. |
| 09/2017 | in MSA in the 3rd paragraph adds that an advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant to the list that must prescribe the special diet. |
| 12/2014 | Removed WB. This program was suspended 12/1/14. |
| 10/2014 | in MSA updates Special Diet Amounts. |
| 11/2013 | in MSA updates the Special Diet amounts. |
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